Tropical storm watch issued for the county

July 28, 2013

With Tropical Storm Flossie moving west toward Hawaii, a tropical storm watch was issued for Maui County on Saturday evening.

The watch, issued by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu, means heavy rainfall and tropical storm force winds are possible as early as Monday afternoon in Maui County.

Large surf also was forecast for east-facing shores, beginning as early as this afternoon and peaking Monday.

Flossie was predicted to continue moving west at about 20 mph. The tropical storm was centered about 920 miles east of Hilo on Saturday afternoon, with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph.

A flash flood watch also is in effect for Maui County.

Maui County Civil Defense is advising residents to assemble a survival kit, secure loose objects that may be airborne and prepare to leave areas that flood. Residents are advised to stay indoors during high winds.

Civil Defense was continuing to monitor the tropical storm, with updates to be available on local radio and television stations or NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts.

NOAA Weather Broadcasts can be reached by calling (866) 944-5025. NOAA Weather Internet services can be found at www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl.

Prerecorded advisories and notifications are available 24 hours a day on the Maui County Automated Information System by calling 986-1200.